Life & Work with Eric Thompson of Durham NC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Thompson

Hi Eric, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Poetry has always been the way I see the world. Whether in the metaphors of Sunday morning sermons or the parables woven into my parents’ discipline, language shaped my understanding of life. I picked up a pen in elementary school, and it hasn’t let me go since.

Spoken word has taken me to stages across the country—from Tampa Bay, Florida, to Little Rock, Arkansas, to San Antonio, Texas, and all the way to Oakland, California. Along the way, I learned how vital it is to have spaces where we can speak, be heard, question, and seek answers. That realization planted the seed for my wife, Khalisa Rae, and me to create Griot and Grey Owl, the Southern Black Writers Conference—a space where storytelling, culture, and community come together.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Like any worthwhile journey, it has had its ups and downs. For me, life is about learning, adapting, and falling in love with the process. Every challenge is either a lesson or an opportunity to find a new way forward.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a poet, spoken word performer, and event curator. I like to say my writing specializes in perspective—exploring how a shift in viewpoint can bridge our differences and foster understanding. I strive to craft metaphors that help us see the poetry in each other.

With Griot and Grey Owl, our goal is to create a space where we can learn, connect, grow, and simply be. Each year, we host a conference in downtown Durham and its surrounding areas, bringing together some of the brightest minds and most powerful voices. Past Griots have included Michael Twitty, Terrance Hayes, Alexis Pauline Gumbs, adrienne maree brown, Brea Baker, Dasan Ahanu, and many more!

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
There is no failure—only opportunities to learn, new paths to explore, and lessons to grow from. Every person you admire as a standard in their field has faced setbacks. The difference? They kept going.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://griotandgreyowl.org/
• Instagram: lyricallyblessed7